diff --git a/src/nominatim_api/search/query.py b/src/nominatim_api/search/query.py
index da7099c0..7f79c0e8 100644
--- a/src/nominatim_api/search/query.py
+++ b/src/nominatim_api/search/query.py
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ class QueryStruct:
             of each node.
         """
         n = len(self.nodes) - 1
-        if n == 1 or n >= 50:
+        if n <= 1 or n >= 50:
             self.dir_penalty = 0
         elif n == 2:
             self.dir_penalty = (self.nodes[1].name_address_ratio()
diff --git a/test/bdd/features/api/search/simple.feature b/test/bdd/features/api/search/simple.feature
index 3dc76922..2780d1ba 100644
--- a/test/bdd/features/api/search/simple.feature
+++ b/test/bdd/features/api/search/simple.feature
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Feature: Simple Tests
      | %#$@*&l;der#$! |
      | 234.23.14.5 |
      | aussenstelle universitat lichtenstein wachterhaus aussenstelle universitat lichtenstein wachterhaus aussenstelle universitat lichtenstein wachterhaus aussenstelle universitat lichtenstein wachterhaus |
+     | . |
 
     Scenario: Empty XML search
         When sending v1/search with format xml